There’s something that’s goin’ round, that’s shutting our borders down
It’s a bad time for our sick and our old
CNN’s nightly lullaby, tells of hundreds more that’ve died
I shut off the TV and think all alone, how long can this go on? – Jeff Orson, Pray
Welcome to In Crisis – Travel Retail Voices, our podcast series in which we speak to industry executives around the world to see how they and their businesses are coping with the COVID-19 crisis.
This episode features Vincent McDermott, Founder and Director of Dublin-based TR Partners, a new enterprise formed last October. TR, of course, refers to travel retail and Vincent’s credentials speak for themselves as he sets out his stall advising brands on how to execute go to market strategies in global travel retail.
[Click on the icon to listen to Vincent McDermott talk to Martin Moodie]
Before moving back to Ireland in 2019, Vincent had spent nearly six years with lingerie, beauty, clothing and accessories brand Victoria’s Secret in travel retail. Earlier, he had held senior roles with MAC Cosmetics Travel Retail, Puig and Aer Rianta International Middle East – where he got his first grounding in the channel from some of the best mentors in the business.
He didn’t know it of course back in October, but Vincent has chosen the toughest of times to start a business. But here’s a man with the experience, drive, focus, integrity and connections to build a vibrant force in the channel once the market begins to pick up. Martin Moodie spoke to him by phone last week in Dublin.
Contacts:
Web: www.TRPartners.net
Email: vmcdermott@trpartners.net
Previously on In Crisis – Travel Retail Voices
June 10: Julián Díaz, Dufry
[Click on the icons above or below for video and audio interviews of the Julián Díaz interview]
June 6: Paula Short, Beauty BLVD
June 2: Ray Hernan, Aer Rianta International
May 30: Roger Jackson, The SEVA Group
May 22: Garry Maxwell, GMAX Travel Retail
May 22: Caroline SouthCaroline South Associates (Part 2)
May 22: Caroline South, Caroline South Associates (Part 1)
May 20: Frederik Westelinck, Blue Storks
May 14: Christine Keeling, Long Haul Spa
May 12: Kevin Chiang, Ever Rich Duty Free
May 2: Robbie Gill, The Design Solution
May 2: Michael Ripfl, Umdasch, The Store Makers
April 29: Heidi van Roon, Spark Business Services Group
April 25: Rüdiger Behn, Waldemar Behn
April 23: James Prescott, Harding Retail
April 22: Eugene Barry, Dubai Airports
April 21: Lal Arakulath, Kreol Group
April 21: Scott Collier, Toronto Pearson International Airport
April 20: Lisa Bauer, Starboard Cruise Services
April 17: Dan Cappell, Ontario International Airport
April 13: Gautom Menon, Wild Tiger Beverages
April 13: Sarah Branquinho, Duty Free World Council
April 10: Sinead el Sibai, Dubai Duty Free
April 7: Jonathan Holland of Jonathan Holland & Associates, Singapore.
April 7: Rob Wigington, Executive Director at the Airport Restaurant & Retail Association, US.
April 7: José Luis Donagaray and Inés Sisto Patron, ASUTIL
April 5: Stewart Dryburgh, Nestlé International Travel Retail,
April 4: Pier Giuseppe Torresani, Masi; and Steve Corrigan, long-time duty free drinks executive
April 2: Founder of Duty Free Global, Barry Geoghegan
April 1: Vice President of Miami-based Essence Corp, Patricia Bona.
29 March: William Grant & Sons President Asia Pacific Doug Bagley
29 March: PMA Canada National Director – Duty Free Jeff Orson
27 March: Paul & Shark Global Travel Retail Director Catherine Bonelli
26 March: King Power Traveler President Rakhita Jayawardena
25 March: Public health expert Dr. David Heymann
24 March: King Power Group (Hong Kong) Group Chief Executive Officer Sunil Tuli
22 March: The Moodie Davitt Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie
21 March: China Duty Free Group President Charles Chen
20 March: Dubai Duty Free Executive Vice Chairman & CEO Colm McLoughlin
